Even Real Food Bloggers Get the Blues (and How to Keep Nutrition Up in Busy, Stressful Seasons)

**I shared our exciting news the other day, which entirely relates to the re-posting of this post from almost exactly one year ago. Morning sickness, fatigue and some other challenging circumstances have made it a real struggle to put decent food on the table (or desire to eat it, for that matter) these past two months. These tips and thoughts definitely still apply for our family, and for those of you who find yourself facing similar situations!**

For me, one of the most important aspects of blogging is being real. Being transparent. Admitting that I’m not a superwoman, and that just like the rest of you, I deal with the regular ups and downs of life as a mom, wife and homemaker.

Sometimes life flows along merrily. Other seasons are so much more difficult, where each day (and sometimes each hour and moment) can feel as though we are trudging through knee-deep rivers of sludge in a clunky pair of old rubber boots.

For me, this current season of life has had many rubber boot days, in the midst of much joy and blessing. By God’s grace, I have the strength to keep trudging along, trusting Him to supply for all of my needs and to see me through this season, hopefully refined and purified and just a little bit closer to the image of Christ than I was before.

In order to be truly transparent with you, I needed to make a shocking “real foodie” admission. We haven’t been eating all of the usual real food, prepared in the usual ways, that you would normally find us eating. Life has been hectic and at times, overwhelming, and I’ve been doing my best to keep my head above water. That doesn’t always leave time for making sprouted flour bread and homemade mayo. Sometimes it barely includes enough time and composure to get some organic boxed cereal and raw milk on the table and call it breakfast (or dinner, for that matter).

One of my priorities through it all has been to find ways to keep the compromises to a minimum, and our nutrition (if not particularly great) at least sufficient. I’ll let the video tell you the rest…

One other thing I didn’t mention (because the video was already getting long) is that your focus should be on which ingredients you use, but not as much on their presentation or on how you use them.

What I mean is that if all you can do is make simple, comfort, convenience-style foods, at least start with really wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients. High quality eggs, sea salt, beef and poultry, coconut oil or pastured butter, wild fish, whole grains, etc.

Even if you end up eating too many carbs, not enough fresh vegetables, or the same proteins over and over (all things that we have done lately!), at least they’re still the right ingredients and even that makes a whole world of difference! For more on this topic, see my series Nutritional Foundations.

Does anyone else find themselves in a similar season of life? What are you doing to try to stay healthy and maintain a steady stream of nutrients in the midst of it all?

72 thoughts on “Even Real Food Bloggers Get the Blues (and How to Keep Nutrition Up in Busy, Stressful Seasons)”

This was a great video. I so appreciate the openness and sincerity that was shown. I really think we are our own hardest critics, but this is such a great reminder–we all can use a little grace, huh? ;)

Congrats on your pregnancy, also. I have been out of town and just read it tonight so I’m a bit behind. May your baby be blessed!
Sarah M

I have been in your shoes for the past 4 months! They are not fun shoes! Hang in there! I have to admit that I have NOT done a good job AT ALL with the food aspect. We’ve been eating a lot more processed foods lately, and I haven’t been eating nearly the veggies I need because they often make me feel sick. I had hyperemesis pretty badly with this pregnancy. It was so debilitating for a while, that I had to stay in bed and do pretty much nothing. So, my dear hubby had to pick up so much slack (which he did with a wonderful attitude)! Needless to say, even though I’m just starting my 3rd trimester, our meals are still not back up to where they need to be, and my 5-year-old still doesn’t get near the outdoor exercise he needs. On top of the pregnancy, we are getting ready to move across the country in about a month, my husband will be starting his very first career job after half a lifetime of being in school, and as soon as we move, I am starting home schooling for the very first time (and then the baby will come about a month later)!! We’ve been so stressed around here! Also, very soon after we move (we will be staying with family until we find a place to live), we’ll have to move again into our own place! This is A LOT, but I know the Lord will not put anything on us that we can’t handle. So, with much prayer and preparation, here we go!

Thanks so much for your post. It helps me to know I’m not alone, and there IS a way I can still keep the physical health of my family a priority. I recently did make my first bone broth, thanks to you, and I made our FAVORITE soup with it (Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana)! It was absolutely delicious, and I’m sure a lot more nutritious than it would’ve been in the restaurant. I can’t imagine trying to keep up with a blog in the midst of your craziness, but I’m sure glad you do! You are such an encouragement to us all! (I’m sure we would all understand if you needed to take a break from blogging, however, so no pressure!) Hang in there, Stephanie, and thanks for the advice! :)

@Andra, Well, I was taking a break this past week, on vacation at the beach with posts going up automatically. It was great and much-needed! :)

Sounds like you definitely have a lot going on. Hopefully after the baby arrives and the move is finished, you will find that you are able to get back into more of a regular routine. But sometimes we just seem to have seasons that are hard, and I really think it’s ok to just do the best you can. Blessings on you and your family!

Thank you for being so real! I remember your similar post earlier this year (Journey to BurnOut?), and it really ministered to me! I pray this season ends soon for you as you enter your second trimester, but thanks for letting us see that you aren’t “super woman”–and that nobody is!

Well, it seems I am among the few who have no idea where to find this much appreciated video. I loved the text part of this blog, but would really like to watch the video! Hope someone can help us clueless ones out soon :) Thanks!!

Its funny…sometimes I think this is THE season it seems…its like I keep thinking this season is going to end and it doesn’t. Not to be depressing, but it does seem that way sometimes! We just get through one challenge to face another. I’m working on being content even in that.

I’m trying my best to eat well and I am thankful when I can, but its discouraging to just have it come back up sometimes…trusting that my good diet before pregnancy will help me and the baby and doing the best I can with the here and now. I am thankful for a bumper crop of bush beans which thankfully for me don’t cause sick feelings!

@Nola, I know, sometimes it seems like it’s always this season for me, too. At least, that’s how I feel when I’m in the midst of it. I do think it’s a challenge to learn to be content no matter which season, which situations we are facing. I think it’s partly the Lord’s way of teaching us that we are always entirely dependant on His strength, that our own is never enough.

I definitely think that a good pre-baby diet makes a big difference. Our diet was pretty good before I got pregnant and in the first couple of weeks, so I just hope that between the good foods that I still manage to eat and the few supplements I’m taking (cod liver oil, floradix iron and herbs, pregnancy nutrient tea sometimes) that I get a few of the extras I’m missing.

I cant’ wait for beans! We just got home from vacation yesterday and were thrilled to see our first baby beans (finally!) that should be ready by the end of this week. :)

@Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home, Yes I am also learning that sometimes we need to realize that what we want isn’t what God’s plans are. We are looking at a bunch of situations that are like that…I keep thinking “umm this isn’t what I had planned/wanted!” (not the baby, we are happy about that!) but God is showing me that there are still blessings in even the things that I didn’t want to deal with. It will be interesting to continue to count my blessings even in these things.

What pregnancy nutrient tea do you drink? Where do you get it? Its been something I thought of but have no idea anything more about it.

I’m thankful for this sick feeling though since it usually means that the baby is still doing well. I can’t wait to feel him/her move! 4-8 more weeks.

Thanks for this post. I have been cooking, eating, and cleaning healthy for over 8 years. But we all go through bottom out periods where it is a struggle to eat well. People need to know this and not get down on themselves when it happens. i love your site. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and time. Congrats!! on the news I have been through this 8 times..keep on keeping on. As the Lord says “children are a blessing” it is so true.

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I’m Ann. I’ve been part of the Keeper of the Home community for many years. You can read more about me here. How can we help you live a happier, healthier life?